How to grow Lemon Myrtle in Australia
Lemon myrtle (Backhousia citriodora) is an Australian rainforest tree from coastal southern Queensland and northern New South Wales whose leaves have an intense lemon scent. Soft tips are picked for tea, baking and cooking. Left alone it grows into a tall tree, but regular tip pruning keeps it a dense, leafy shrub or hedge within easy reach.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Lemon Myrtle in Australia
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| South East Queensland | September to March | |
| Northern Rivers NSW | September to March | |
| Sydney & Coastal NSW | September to March | |
| Melbourne & Victoria | Not suited | Australian native but frost-sensitive; Melbourne winter kills plants. Unsuitable. |
| Adelaide & SA | September and October | Plant Sep to Oct after frost in a sheltered spot. Protect young trees from frost and hot north winds; water well through summer. |
| Perth & WA | March to May, September and October | Plant in autumn with the first rains, or Sep to Oct. Shelter from hot easterlies and water deeply through summer. |
| Tasmania | Not suited | Unsuitable. Subtropical rainforest native, killed by hard frost. |
| Canberra & ACT | Not suited | Lemon Myrtle unsuitable for Canberra: tropical Australian native; frost-intolerant. Use lemon verbena or lemon tree instead. |
| North Queensland | September to March | Plant in the wet season. A Queensland rainforest native whose range reaches the Townsville and Herberton districts. Give it some shade, water it through the dry, and watch new growth for myrtle rust in humid weather. |
| Darwin & Top End | September to March | Plant in the wet season and keep it watered through the long dry. A subtropical Queensland rainforest native, well outside its natural range here, and humid weather brings myrtle rust. |
Not to be confused with: Lemon Verbena and Lemon Balm, two exotic lemon-scented herbs, and Finger Lime, another native rainforest bush food.
Where to plant
Plant lemon myrtle in a sunny, wind-protected spot in nutrient-rich soil of medium to heavy texture that drains well. It is a subtropical rainforest tree, so it likes regular moisture, organic matter and a mulched root zone, and it is frost tender, especially while young.
Lemon myrtle is very susceptible to myrtle rust, a fungal disease that attacks new growth of plants in the myrtle family. It is worst in warm, humid areas. Check new growth regularly, and buy healthy plants from a reputable nursery.
- South East Queensland and the Northern Rivers: its home region. Plant from September to March.
- Sydney: plant from September to March in a sheltered, frost-free spot.
- Perth: plant in autumn with the first rains, or in September and October. Shelter from hot easterly winds and water deeply through summer.
- Adelaide: plant in September or October after frost in a sheltered spot. Protect young trees from frost and hot north winds, and water well through summer.
- North Queensland and Darwin: plant in the wet season, September to March, and keep it watered through the dry season.
- Melbourne, Canberra and Hobart: our calendar marks these as unsuitable, as frost kills it.
How to plant
- Plant in spring or summer in frost-free weather.
- Dig compost into a wide area, as lemon myrtle likes rich soil.
- Plant at the same depth as in the pot, water in deeply and mulch, keeping the mulch clear of the trunk.
- For a hedge, plant closer together and tip prune from the start so the plants thicken up.
Watering and feeding
Water regularly while young and in dry spells, and keep the root zone mulched to hold moisture. In Perth, Adelaide and the tropical dry season, deep summer watering is essential.
Feed lightly in spring with a native-friendly, low-phosphorus fertiliser or compost.
Pruning and care through the year
- Keep tip pruning. Regular picking of the soft tips keeps the plant dense and within reach; unpruned, it grows into a tall rainforest tree.
- It makes an attractive, fragrant hedge with sprays of creamy-white flowers from summer into autumn.
- Check new growth for the yellow powdery spores of myrtle rust and for psyllid damage, and prune out badly affected shoots.
Harvesting
Pluck or snip the soft, young leaf tips whenever you need them; regular harvesting doubles as pruning. Older leaves can be picked too, but the young tips have the freshest flavour.
Use leaves fresh, or dry them in a shady, airy place and store them in an airtight jar for tea and cooking.
Growing in pots
Lemon myrtle grows well in a pot at least 40 cm wide with a quality potting mix, kept in a sheltered, sunny spot. Regular tip pruning keeps it compact. Water often in summer and feed lightly in spring.
Using it
Steep fresh or dried leaves for a refreshing tea, or use them to flavour cheesecakes, biscuits, syrups, fish, chicken and marinades. The flavour is strong, so use a little at first.
Companion planting
Lemon myrtle sits naturally among other subtropical rainforest plants and bush foods.
Good companions
- Native plants Rainforest natives share the same rich, moist soil and shelter, and together make a sheltered bush food garden.
- Finger lime Another rainforest bush food from the same region, which likes the same sheltered spot and rich, well-drained soil.
Pests and diseases
Myrtle rust is the main threat to lemon myrtle. Sap-sucking insects can also cause sooty mould.
Pests to watch for
- Lemon myrtle psyllid Distorted, pitted or blistered new leaves caused by small sap-sucking insects. Prune off affected tips.
- Scale Small bumps on the stems and leaves with sticky honeydew.
Diseases to watch for
- Myrtle rust Bright yellow, powdery spores on new leaves, shoots and flowers, which then distort, brown and die back. Worst in warm, humid weather. Prune out affected growth and dispose of it in the bin.
- Sooty mould A black, sooty coating on the leaves, growing on honeydew left by scale and other sap suckers. Control the insects and it fades.
Common questions
How do I harvest lemon myrtle leaves?
Pluck or snip the soft young tips whenever you need them. Regular harvesting also keeps the plant bushy and low.
How big does lemon myrtle grow?
Often 3 to 6 m in gardens, but unpruned it can become a rainforest tree of up to about 20 m. Keep tip pruning to hold it at the size you want.
What is the yellow powder on my lemon myrtle?
Probably myrtle rust, a fungal disease that attacks new growth of plants in the myrtle family. Lemon myrtle is very susceptible. Prune out affected growth and bin it, and keep the plant healthy and well watered.
Can I grow lemon myrtle in a pot?
Yes. Use a pot at least 40 cm wide in a sheltered, sunny spot, keep it watered and tip prune regularly to keep it compact.
Can lemon myrtle grow in Melbourne?
It is frost tender and our calendar treats Melbourne as unsuitable outdoors. Lemon verbena is a cold-hardier alternative with a similar lemon scent.
How do I use lemon myrtle?
Steep fresh or dried leaves for tea, or use them to flavour baking such as cheesecake, syrups, fish and chicken. The flavour is strong, so start with a little.
Sources we checked: Gardening Australia: Plant profile, lemon myrtle (Angus Stewart); Gardening Australia: Lemon myrtle (plant profile).